Man, 73, shot during argument with wife, 29

PARKS, Ariz. -- The Coconino County Sheriff's Office is investigating a domestic violence incident involving a 73-year-old man and his 29-year-old wife. The man was shot when the pair got into an argument.

On Sunday, July 7, deputies responded to the report of a shooting in the residential community of Parks, Ariz., which is located along Interstate Highway 40 between Bellemont and Williams.

When they arrived, deputies located an elderly victim who had been shot once in the chest and appeared to be in serious medical condition. The injured male was treated by Guardian medical personnel and transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center. He's currently listed in critical condition.

Due to the male victim's medical condition, detectives have not had the opportunity to interview him yet. But they were able to talk to his wife.

According to Sheriff's documents, the woman says that she and her husband spent a significant time on Sunday at a bar located close to their neighborhood. She tells detectives that they both consumed a significant amount of alcohol during the course of the day.

The wife says that upon their return home, they began to argue with each other, and her husband decided to leave their house and spend the night in his jeep that was parked outside.

She said that at some point during the evening, her husband reentered the residence and the two began to argue once again. According to the woman, her husband placed his hands around her neck and began to choke her. At some point during this altercation, the male was shot once in the chest from close range with a small caliber hand gun.

Detectives are still investigating to determine who produced the weapon, and who was holding the weapon at the time of the shooting. No arrests have been made at this point. The Sheriff’s Office is withholding the names of the two involved individuals pending further investigation.